Newcastle Falcons team to face Montpellier

Newcastle Falcons have named their side for Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup opener at home to French side Montpellier.

The Kingston Park clash is a 3.15pm kick-off and forms the first of four pool games in the European competition, with the top four teams going through from each pool of six.

Ben Redshaw returns at full-back for the Falcons, with fellow England Under-20s squad member Oliver Spencer starting at outside centre.

Argentina international Matias Orlando comes in to partner him in midfield, with Iwan Stephens restored on the wing as Louis Brown and Tom Penny miss out with head knocks sustained in last weekend’s game at Leicester Tigers.

Rory Jennings partners James Elliott in the half-backs, with Bryan Byrne and Murray McCallum joining the front row.

Forwards coach Micky Ward is relishing the opportunity of making a positive start in the EPCR Challenge Cup, saying: “We see this as a really important opportunity to get a win, and we’re putting out a strong side.

“It’s a fresh start going into a new competition and it’s a big chance for us to nail that result.

“We’ve been close in a lot of our Premiership games this season and had some really positive performances, so it’s a great chance to take that next step and start winning games again.

“It brings a bit of freshness playing teams we normally don’t come up against, and I always enjoy the European competitions.”

Ward added: “Montpellier are around the bottom of the French league and they’ve had some tough results, but they’ve got an outstanding squad.

“French teams are generally big, powerful and they offload well, so there are a lot of threats coming our way.

“We’ve historically done well at home against French opposition, and hopefully it will be freezing cold.

“When they get off that plane they’ll probably not be too keen on the Geordie weather, but we know it will be a tough game and we’ve got a lot of respect for what they will bring.”

Newcastle Falcons v Montpellier (Sunday, 3.15pm, Kingston Park,)

15 Ben Redshaw, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Oliver Spencer, 12 Matias Orlando, 11 Iwan Stephens, 10 Rory Jennings, 9 James Elliott; 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 Bryan Byrne, 3 Murray McCallum, 4 John Hawkins, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Freddie Lockwood, 7 Sam Cross, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 21 Hugh O’Sullivan, 22 Louie Johnson, 23 Zach Kerr. 

Not available for selection: Louis Brown, Mateo Carreras, Sam Clark, Cameron Hutchison, Isaac Keller, Richard Palframan, Guy Pepper, Tom Penny, Marcus Tiffen.